TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

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Abii

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Feb 1, 2021
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Hi everyone

I'm a career changer currently doing the LPC and VS applications, but of course have my moments of doubt where I don't feel too hopeful about landing a training contract this cycle. Does anyone know of any smaller firms who recruit less than two years in advance but still offer commercial work?

The thought of starting a TC in 2025 if I'm not successful this year seems so far away (2024 already seems silly 🤣), so want to start thinking about some other options.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Greenberg Traurig and EY are both hiring for September 2022 provided you’ll have completed the LPC by September
 
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Rob93

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It’s Colombia. The firm closed both its Venezuelan and Colombian offices but still operates in Brazil and Mexico. But Colombia has some really interesting large infrastructure projects happening in 2022 (and ofc has big mining/resource/agricultural economy) something which the firm specialises in. I know for example that Baker McKenzie still operates in the country, and that Dentons took over this firm’s Venezuelan office so I feel like it’s not a lost cause financially lol!
Would just bear in mind that Dentons and Bakers are, I believe, both Vereins so can segregate out the profitability (or not) of their Colombia office - the economics may be less attractive to global partnership firms.
 

Jessica Booker

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Could you explain a bit more please? I didn’t understand that!
Say your term ends on Tuesday 29 March, but you work 35 hours between Monday 28 March and Friday 1 April (7 hours per day).

You can't be guaranteed that the definition of the week starts on Wednesday 30 March. The week could be determined to have started on the Monday, and you would have gone over 20 hours for that week.

All of this is highly unlikely anyway as most terms end on a Thursday or Friday, and it is unlikely that a vacation scheme will start on a Monday (or at a push Tuesday if Monday is a bank holiday). I would expect term dates to clash for over 20 hours or not at all.
 
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thirdtimelucky

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    Would just bear in mind that Dentons and Bakers are, I believe, both Vereins so can segregate out the profitability (or not) of their Colombia office - the economics may be less attractive to global partnership firms.
    Agreed! This firm is also a verein, but thank you for bringing that up as I hadn’t considered that point :D
     
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    Plato

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    Dec 17, 2021
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    You’ve totally misunderstood what I said. Asil asked whether doing the WG questions would increase your percentile score. I clarified by saying that is not true and the only way you can improve and get the best percentile score is by getting the questions correct. Of course some WGs have a time factor element but the overriding principle still stands, to get the highest percentile score, you need to get as many of the questions correct.
    And yes that’s correct. Firms might take other factors into account even there isn’t a time element, such as how long you took but firms who do give you a report with a percentile score, that is based on how many questions you got correct in comparison to the focus group used.
    Firms usually specify whether they factor in time or not.
    test. I didn't think my results were great, so the AC is a pleasant surprise!
    mate let's swap your app for my WG results ahahah XD
     
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    Marlian44

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    Dec 3, 2021
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    Say your term ends on Tuesday 29 March, but you work 35 hours between Monday 28 March and Friday 1 April (7 hours per day).

    You can't be guaranteed that the definition of the week starts on Wednesday 30 March. The week could be determined to have started on the Monday, and you would have gone over 20 hours for that week.

    All of this is highly unlikely anyway as most terms end on a Thursday or Friday, and it is unlikely that a vacation scheme will start on a Monday (or at a push Tuesday if Monday is a bank holiday). I would expect term dates to clash for over 20 hours or not at all.
    I am kind of in the same boat. I am a bit confused though. What if my term ends on Thursday Jun 23 and my Vac scheme begins on the 20th. However, on the same day (20) I have my last exam. if i come to a consensus to with the firm to miss the first day, Do tuesday (8hrs) , wednesday (8hrs) (16 hours total), then commence fulltime on thursday onwards(when my term has officially ended), wont i still be in confines of the law regarding tier 4 visa work time
     

    Jessica Booker

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    I am kind of in the same boat. I am a bit confused though. What if my term ends on Thursday Jun 23 and my Vac scheme begins on the 20th. However, on the same day (20) I have my last exam. if i come to a consensus to with the firm to miss the first day, Do tuesday (8hrs) , wednesday (8hrs) (16 hours total), then commence fulltime on thursday onwards(when my term has officially ended), wont i still be in confines of the law regarding tier 4 visa work time
    If your term ends on Thursday 23, then unfortunately the term includes that day. You need to take it from the first day of the holiday break rather than the last day of term.

    Also, the firm is unlikely to allow you to miss the first day. It usually requires you to go through a lot on onboarding processes on the first day. Even if they did allow you to take time off, you are contracted to work 35 hours that week, taking you over your limit.

    Assuming you have an offer already, you will need to speak to the firm ASAP about this.
     
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    Rob93

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    Re: tier 4 visas, it is unfortunately super restrictive. Last year I only applied to a handful of schemes as they had to be fully within the Easter holiday.

    Note if you're a grad student summer schemes may also not be accessible - at my uni at least summer counted as term time since notionally it should be devoted to dissertation writing. I know some unis have dissertations due in June so in that case it's probably fine, but something to be aware of.
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Re: tier 4 visas, it is unfortunately super restrictive. Last year I only applied to a handful of schemes as they had to be fully within the Easter holiday.

    Note if you're a grad student summer schemes may also not be accessible - at my uni at least summer counted as term time since notionally it should be devoted to dissertation writing. I know some unis have dissertations due in June so in that case it's probably fine, but something to be aware of.
    Firms are very risk adverse too to these things and won't take any risks in case they are fined or their sponsorship licence is taken away from them.

    Most firms will either move people to a later VS programme that runs during the holidays, or will move people to a direct TC recruitment process.
     
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